Linked Account System Using Personal Digital Key (PDK-LAS)

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the invention includes a system comprising: a personal digital key and a computer readable medium that is accessible when authenticated by the personal digital key.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/598,735, entitled “Linked Account System Using Personal Digital Key(PDK-LAS)” filed Jul. 31, 2007, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2005/007535, entitled “LinkedAccount System Using Personal Digital Key (PDK-LAS), filed Mar. 8, 2005,published in English under PCT Article 21(2), which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/551,320, “Linked Account System Using Personal Digital Key(PDK-LAS),” filed Mar. 8, 2004. The subject matter of all of theforegoing is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This application is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/292,330, entitled “Personal Digital Key and Reader/Decoder CircuitSystem and Method,” filed Nov. 30, 2005, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 09/750,487, filed Dec. 27, 2000; U.S.application Ser. No. 10/016,857, filed Dec. 14, 2001; U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/153,979, filed on May 23, 2002; U.S. application Ser. No.10/715,035, filed on Nov. 17, 2003; and U.S. application Ser. No.10/847,135, filed on May 17,2004, and which also claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/632,067, filed on Dec. 1, 2004,and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/652,765, filed on Feb. 14,2005, the entireties of each of the foregoing are incorporated herein byreference.

Applicants hereby notify the USPTO that the claims of the presentapplication are different from those of the aforementioned relatedapplications. Therefore, Applicant rescinds any disclaimer of claimscope made in the parent application, grandparent application or anyother predecessor application in relation to the present application.The Examiner is therefore advised that any such disclaimer and the citedreference that it was made to avoid may need to be revisited at thistime. Furthermore, the Examiner is also reminded that any disclaimermade in the present application should not be read into or against theparent application, the grandparent application or any other relatedapplication.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to embodiments of a linkedaccount system using personal digital key (PDK-LAS).

2. Background of the Invention

The market for downloading digital content online is rapidly climbingbecause distribution of such content is inexpensive, fast, and easy andthe quality of the content itself is acceptable. The market, however,remains disorganized due to competing standards, competing companies,discontented artists and producers, and outright theft of digitalcontent.

Digital rights management (DRM) companies seek to solve the foregoingproblems by delivering the digital content from the real producers tothe right customers and ensuring that everyone who should be paid infact is paid. DRM seeks to get everyone paid by managing the multiplesteps for distributing digital content (music, video, software) online:watermarking, encryption, transaction management, and rights management.Some DRM companies perform all these steps, while other DRM companiesspecialize in one or two steps of the process.

First, watermarking stamps each piece of digital content with a digitalmark so it can be tracked wherever it goes. Digital watermarks are justlike paper watermarks, except they cannot be seen or heard. Specialsoftware is required to read a digital watermark.

Second, encryption scrambles watermarked digital content and stores itinside a digital safe for shipment around the Internet. The safeprotects the content during shipping by allowing only those with theright software key to the safe to decrypt and use the content. Third,transaction management handles actual payments for the digital contentusing credit card techniques found elsewhere in e-commerce. An order isplaced, a credit card number is taken, account status is checked, andthe exchange is authorized.

Finally, rights management manages the information about the digitalcontent itself: what it is, who gets it, how it is delivered, how manytimes it may be used, how long the rights last, who gets paid, how muchthey get paid, and how. This information travels with the digitalcontent in something called a digital permit. The permits rests on topof the digital content as it travels the Internet and allows legal usersto enjoy the digital content for as long as the rights last.

The primary objective of DRM companies is to deploy technologies thatprotect digital content as it is distributed online. Some of theseproposed technologies and DRM in general are discussed in the article“Digital Rights Management May Solve the Napster ‘Problem’,” TechnologyInvestor, October 2000, pp. 24-27. Although such technologies shouldreduce the amount of digital theft, they generally favor the contentprovider at the expense of the consumer or favor the consumer at theexpense of the content provider. That is, the rights of either thecontent provider or the consumer are compromised. For example, sometechnologies severely limit the consumer's ability to make extra copiesof digital content even when the digital content is solely for personaluse. Other technologies facilitate the making of copies of digitalcontent which can be used by different consumers without the contentprovider being compensated by each consumer. The present inventor hasdiscovered an improved DRM system and method that effectively balancesand protects the rights of both the consumer and the content provider.In addition, the present inventor has discovered an associated digitalcontent security system for protecting computers and other storagedevices from unauthorized use and protecting the digital content storedon computers and other storage devices from being wrongfully accessed,copied, and/or distributed.

With the advent of the Internet, and online shopping, banking and soforth, the Internet has enabled the incidence of credit card, bankaccount information, and similar data being stolen has risendramatically. The cost to providers of transactions performed with thesestolen items is enormous and results in higher transaction fees andproduct pricing to consumers, as it is the providers who are typicallyresponsible for charges applied to stolen account information.

Additionally, the inconvenience and tangential problems that victims,consumers, suffer as a result of such crimes are often traumatic, butare minimally troublesome. The insufficient technologies and procedurescurrently utilized to secure account-based transaction processing dolittle to prevent these crimes. The problem is most notable in the caseof the largest growing segment for such transactions, the on-lineenvironment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention includes a system comprising: a personaldigital key and a computer readable medium that is accessible whenauthenticated by the personal digital key.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of managing digital rights inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2,3, and 4 are block diagrams of portions of a DRM system forimplementing the method in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual model of core options for acquiring digitalcontent that can be encoded to produce key-secured content and coreoptions for playing back the key-secured content;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for implementing a core acquisition option ofdownloaded content;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for implementing a core acquisition option ofstore-bought content;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for implementing a core acquisition option ofbroadcast content;

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b are block diagrams for implementing a core playbackoption of stand-alone devices;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for implementing a core playback option ofnetworked devices;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a standard computer hard driveincorporating an integrated PDK-RDC (receiver/decoder circuit) for thepurpose of enabling multiple methods of securing digital content;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for implementing Drive-Level protection andSector-Level protection in connection with the computer hard drive;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the logic executed by the PDK-RDC forimplementing Drive-Level protection and Sector-Level protection;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram for implementing File-Level protection inconnection with the computer hard drive; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for implementing Network-Level protection byexpanding File-Level protection to a network environment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a PDK key system embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a PDK key system embodiment of theinvention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However,it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Definitions

As used herein, “PDK Key or Key” refers to a PDK-compliant wireless keyproviding access to PDK-protected objects. The acronym “PDK” refers to“personal digital key.”

A “PDK-hard drive” refers to a physical or “electronic” hard drivecontaining an integrated RDC.

A “PDK-protected product/object” refers to a hard drive or accounts orcontent protected via PDK technology.

An “assigned key” is a PDK key assigned to one or more protectedobjects.

An “RDC” refers to a Reader/Decoder circuit installed in a user'scomputer, or built into computer hard drive, or point-of-sale (POS)credit card swipe unit which communicates with PDK keys and decodes PDKdata.

A “POS RCD” refers to a reader/decoder circuit integrated in a standardpoint-of-sale (POS) credit-card swipe unit.

A “manufacturer” as used herein refers to a manufacturer of PDK-keys.

A “provider” as used herein refers to an entity issuing a PDK-linkedaccount, PDK hard drives and so forth.

A “customer” or “user” refers to an individual possessing or utilizing aPDK-key.

A “master” or “master key” refers to a PDK key initially assigned to aPDK protected object, and which is required to be present forconfiguration transactions.

Description

One system embodiment of the invention, illustrated at 1000 in FIG. 16includes a personal digital key, PDK, 1010, a point-of-sale readerdecoder circuit, POS RDC, 1012, a PDK reader decoder circuit, 1014 thatis connected to a provider 1016 having a database 1018. For someembodiments, the PDK reader decoder circuit and POS RDC 1014 are in asingle unit 1020, which for some embodiments, is a standard credit cardswipe unit integrated with RDC. For some embodiments, a standard creditcard 1022 is readable in the reader 1020. The provider 1016 may be acredit card processor, bank or other similar entity. The accountdatabase 1018 maintains the account number, PDK key number and otheridentifiers of the user.

In another embodiment, illustrated at 2000 in FIG. 17, the PDK 1010interfaces with a computer 2002 through a secure RF link 2004. Thecomputer 2002 is a standard personal computer, with integrated RDC, PDKhard drive or RDC adaptor card. The computer 2002 communicates with theprovider 1016 through a standard Internet connection 2006. The provider1016 communicates with the database 1018 in a manner as described in theembodiment described above.

Once in possession of a PDK key, a user optionally registers the keywith the key manufacturer or a central key database. No usage data,credit or bank account numbers, hard drive IDs, etc. is maintained inthe manufacturer's database, only user verification information. Thisinformation includes a customer account number, indicating for someembodiments, a customer's record within the manufacturer's database,customer name, address and phone, key number, and status of key, in-use,stolen, lost and so forth. This information is used primarily forverification purposes during lost key replacement procedures.

The data fields stored in PDK keys include a user label which includesuser text label in an unprotected field. The data fields also include anaccount number, which is a user's manufacturer account number, which isin a protected field. The data fields also include a key number which isa unique key identification and is a protected field.

The PDK key communicates with one of three basic implementations of aPDK-RDC which include POS RDC, a standard credit card swipe type devicewith an integrated RDC. A second implementation is an RDC adaptor, whichis an add-on PC board RDC, interfacing via USB, firewall, PC card,expansion slot and so forth. A third implementation is a PDK hard drivewhich is a standard hard drive with an integrated RDC.

POS RDC devices are used in stores at checkout lanes, purchase counters,hand-held swipes, and so forth. RDC adaptors or PDK hard drives areintended for PC based use.

Physical cards such as credit/debit card accounts, bank accounts,membership accounts, or similar types of accounts, intended for use withthe PDK LAS technology are conventional cards. No changes are requiredto such cards in order to ready them for use with the PDK LAStechnology. From a consumer standpoint, this feature, along with anability for a PDK-key to be purchased and assigned to an object at anypoint, enables easy acceptance of the technology.

Additionally, the PDK-LAS technology offers great flexibility in howPDK-keys are distributed, assigned, and used. For example, providers mayoptionally allow dynamic key assignment, assigning keys at a later date,assigning multiple keys to the same account and so forth, and users mayelect to use one PDK key for all their PDK based security needs, i.e.one PDK key can be assigned to multiple accounts, PDK hard drives, andother PDK based products.

Specific examples illustrating uses of the PDK linked accountembodiments are described as follows. These examples are presented toshow particular applications of the PDK linked accounts and are notintended to limit embodiments of the invention.

In a first example, a user wishes to assign a key to a new PDK linkedaccount. The user logs onto a provider's site over the Internet via theuser's personal computer, in one embodiment. The user inputs whatevervalidation the provider typically requires. Sufficient data is requestedby the provider during this transaction to authenticate the user. An RDCreads the user's PDK key data and transmits the data to the provider.The provider confirms the user's request to linl e the PDK key to theaccount. Once confirmed, the PDK key data is permanently stored in theprovider's database as a master PDK key and can only be changed bydirectly contacting the provider.

In one other embodiment, users phone providers directly and verballyrelay all required information, including master PDK key data, printedon a card included with the PDK key at purchase. For users with Internetaccess but no RDC, this information is hand entered on the provider'swebsite.

In a second example, a user wishes to assign additional keys to a PDKlinked account. The user logs onto a provider site and inputs whatevervalidation the provider typically requires. The user ensures that theassigned master PDK key is within the vicinity of RDC. The RDC reads themaster and additional PDK key data and transmits the data to theprovider. The provider confirms a user's request to link additional PDKkeys to the account number, or change PDK keys or remove PDK keys. Onceconfirmed, the updated PDK key data is stored in the provider's databasealong with master PDK key data.

In an alternate embodiment, to facilitate users without an RCD equippedpersonal computer and Internet access, users may phone providersdirectly and verbally relay all required information, including bothmaster and additional PDK key data, printed on cards (or similar)included with PDK keys at purchase. For users with Internet access butno RDC, this information may be hand entered on the provider's website.

In a third example, the user wishes to utilize a PDK linked account topurchase a product at a store. The user ensures that an assigned PDK keyis within the vicinity of POS RDC at a checkout counter. The RDC readsthe user's PDK key and transmits data, along with the user's accountnumber, acquired using currently accepted procedures, to the providerfor verification. If more than one PDK key is read at the counter,either data from all of the PDK keys may be transmitted to the provideror User Labels may be displayed on POS RDC to enable the user or clerkto select the appropriate PDK key. The provider looks up the accountrecord in its database using the transmitted account number and comparesthe transmitted PDK key data to information stored in the record. if amatch is confirmed, the sales transaction is completed normally. If notconfirmed, the transaction cannot be completed.

A fourth example is one where a user desires to utilize a PDK linkedaccount to purchase a product on-line or the user wishes to accessaccount information on line. The user must ensure that an assigned PDKkey is within the vicinity of RDC. The RDC reads the user's PDK key andtransmits data, along with the user's account number, acquired usingconventional techniques, to the provider for verification. If more thanone PDK key is read at RDC, either data from all PDK keys is transmittedto the provider or User Labels are displayed on a computer screen toenable the user to select the appropriate PDK key. The provider looks upthe account record in its database using the transmitted account numberand compares the transmitted PDK key data to information stored in therecord. If a match is confirmed, the transaction/session is completednormally. If not confirmed, the transaction/session cannot be completed.

A fifth example is one where the user loses a PDK key. After an initialmaster PDK key setup, users are encouraged to immediately assign anadditional PDK key, which serves as a day-to-day key, and store themaster PDK key in a safe location. If the day-to-day key is lost, themaster is usable to assign the new day-to-day key. As a last resort, forusers losing all PDK keys, the key manufacturer may be contacted and,after authentication is performed, instructed to ship a replacement PDKkey.

Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to FIG. 1, there isdepicted a method of managing digital rights in accordance with thepresent invention. First, a new user requests a physical electronic keyor data unit from a key provider (step 10). The key provider may offer aweb site on the Internet, a toll free telephone number, and/or retailoutlet where the key may be acquired. In addition, the key provider mayallow a key to be requested in writing, preferably using a form designedby the key provider. In one model the user may acquire as many keys asdesired, while in another model each user is only entitled to a singlekey.

Second, in response to the user's request for a physical key, the keyprovider establishes a new secure account for that new user in a secureuser account database (step 12). The new account may include thefollowing data fields: account number, password, software encryptionkey, user label, number of users (linked to account), address, telephonenumber, e-mail address, and custom fields. The custom fields may, forexample, include demographic information such as the user's age, gender,marital status, income level, interests, hobbies, etc. The physical keymay include the following data fields: user label, account number,software decryption key, and a custom storage area. The user label andthe account number serve as a first activation code (or key code) forthe acquired physical key. All data fields on the physical key, exceptfor the user label, are preferably encrypted. To allow the user to viewhis or her account in the future, the user is preferably assigned alogin name and the above-noted password.

Third, the key provider ships the physical electronic key to the newuser via a package courier such as the U.S. Postal Service, UnitedParcel Service, or Federal Express (step 14). In one pricing model thephysical key is sent to the user at no charge, while in another pricingmodel the physical key must be purchased by the user. If the physicalkey must be purchased by the user, either the user must providecredit/debit card information to the key provider in step 10 to pay witha credit/debit card, or the key provider includes an invoice with theshipped key in step 14.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for implementing steps 10, 12, and14 of the method of managing digital rights. The system includes the newuser 100, the key provider's web site 102, and the user account database104.

Referring back to FIG. 1, fourth, the user transmits his or heractivation code in the physical key to a digital content provider, whomay have a cooperative relationship with the key provider, and requeststo purchase digital content (music, video, or software) from thatcontent provider (step 16). The content provider may offer a web site onthe Internet containing a listing of digital content available forpurchase. To transmit the activation code to the content provider viathe web site, the user may manually enter the activation code onto asecure page of the web site. Alternatively, the transmission of theactivation code may be automatically implemented with wirelesstechnology. Specifically, the user's computer may be outfitted with adetector that detects the activation code in the user's physical key andthen relays the activation code to the content provider via the website. The content provider may be affiliated with the key provider ormay be separate from the key provider but have an arrangement therewith.

Fifth, the content provider requests the key provider to verify theactivation code transmitted by the user (step 18). The content providermay send this request to the key provider's web site.

Sixth, the key provider in turn accesses the user's account in the useraccount database and determines whether the activation code is in factvalid (step 20). The key provider may also determine whether theactivation code is associated with the user that transmitted theactivation code to the content provider. If the activation code isrejected as being invalid, the content provider is so informed and thecontent provider in turn will not honor any request by the user topurchase digital content. If, however, the activation code is acceptedas being valid, the content provider is so informed and the purchasetransaction proceeds. As used herein, the term “key provider”generically refers to the entity or entities that manufacture,distribute, and validate the physical keys. These functions may actuallybe performed by multiple entities at different locations or by a singleentity at a single location.

Seventh, after securing validation of the first activation code in thephysical key, the content provider pulls the requested digital contentfrom a digital content database/library, marks the digital content witha second activation code (or unlock code) associated with the firstactivation code in the physical key, and encrypts the marked digitalcontent (step 22). The second activation code in the digital content maysimply be the same as the first activation code in the physical key, butat least partially encrypted for security. In one embodiment, the“key-secured” content file includes the following data fields: userlabel, account number, and digital content. The user label and theaccount number serve as the second activation code for the digitalcontent. If the content is merely for sampling (described in connectionwith FIG. 6), the file may include such additional data fields as areceiver/decoder circuit identification number, hour stamp, and lifehours. All data fields on the content file, except for the user label,are preferably encrypted.

Eighth, the content provider delivers the encrypted digital content tothe user (step 24). The encrypted digital content may be delivered bydownloading the encrypted digital content to the user's computer whilethe user is online at the content provider's web site, by attaching thedigital content to an e-mail addressed to the user, or by shipping adisk containing the encrypted digital content to the user via a packagecourier. The user may pay for the digital content either by providingcredit/debit card information to the content provider in step 16 or bypaying off of an invoice included with delivered digital content. If thedigital content is delivered online, the user is preferably required toprovide the credit/debit card information and have such informationapproved as a prerequisite to delivery of the digital content. If theuser possesses more than one physical electronic key and would like theacquired digital content to function with each of the user's keys, allof the activation codes are applied to the digital content. The contentprovider charges the user based on the number of keys with which theuser would like the digital content to function. For example, the usermay be charged the same amount for each activation code, or may becharged a larger amount for one activation code and lesser amounts(e.g., surcharges) for additional activation codes.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for implementing steps 16, 18, 20,22, and 24 of the method of managing digital rights. The system includesthe new user 100, the content provider 106, the key provider's web site102, the digital content database 108, and the acquired digital content110.

Returning to FIG. 1, ninth, the user enters the encrypted digitalcontent into a playing device of a type suitable for playing the digitalcontent (step 26). The device may, for example, be an MP3 player, apersonal computer, a DVD player, a CD player, a cellular phone, or otherportable device. In one embodiment, the device contains a wirelesstransceiver adapted to receive a radio frequency signal transmitted by acorresponding wireless transceiver in the user's physical electronickey. The wireless transceiver in the device is optionally tracked and“secured” for audit purposes by permanently including a uniqueidentifier assigned by the device manufacturer in the transceiver.

Tenth, with the user's physical electronic key within a short range(e.g., few meters) of the playing device, the playing device reads (1)the first activation code carried in a secure radio frequency signaltransmitted by the transceiver in the physical key to the transceiver inthe device and (2) the second activation code marked on the encrypteddigital content (step 28). The device contains decryption software orhardware for decrypting the encrypted digital content to the extentnecessary to read any encrypted portion of the second activation code.

Eleventh, the playing device compares the first activation code and thesecond activation code and determines whether the first activation codeis associated with the second activation code (step 30). Steps 29 and 30may be performed, for example, when the user presses a “play” button onthe playing device or when the user first enters the encrypted digitalcontent into the playing device. If the first activation code isassociated with the second activation code, the device decrypts andplays the digital content. If the first activation code is notassociated with the second activation code, the device does not play thedigital content. If the second activation code is simply the same as thefirst activation code, then the foregoing comparison determines whetherthere is a match between the first activation code and the secondactivation code. In a preferred embodiment, the device continues to playthe digital content only while the physical key is sufficiently close tothe device to communicate the first activation code to the device andallow the device to compare the first activation code to the secondactivation code at least partially encrypted with the digital contenteven while the digital content is being played. If the physical key ismoved out of range, the device is no longer enabled to decrypt and playthe digital content. In an alternative embodiment, once the device isinitially enabled to decrypt and play the digital content, the deviceremains enabled until either the “play” function is stopped, a playtrack/song ends, or the digital content is removed from the device, evenif the physical key is moved out of range such that the key can nolonger communicate the first activation code to the device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for implementing steps 26, 28, and30 of the method of managing digital rights. The system includes theencrypted digital content 110, the key-enabled playing devices 112, andthe user's physical electronic key 114.

As stated above, the user's physical electronic key and the key-enabledplaying device contain respective wireless transceivers to communicatethe activation code in the key to the device. In a preferred embodiment,the transceivers are small, inexpensive Bluetooth radio chips thatoperate in the unlicensed ISM band at 2.4 GHz and avoid interferencefrom other signals by hopping to a new frequency after transmitting orreceiving a packet. The radio chips are plugged into electronic devices,which can then communicate over short distances and through obstacles bymeans of radio waves. Bluetooth is a term used to describe the protocolof a short range (e.g., about 10 meters) frequency-hopping radio linkbetween devices containing the radio chips. These devices are thentermed “Bluetooth-enabled.” The secure radio link replaces a cable thatwould otherwise be used to connect the devices. Further detailsconcerning Bluetooth wireless technology may be obtained fromwww.bluetooth.com.

Wireless technologies other than Bluetooth may be used to communicatethe activation code from the user's physical electronic key to theplaying device. One example of an alternative wireless technology isknown by a trade term “Wi-Fi,” which is short for wireless fidelity andis another name for IEEE 802.11 b. Products certified as Wi-Fi by theWireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) are interoperable witheach other even if they are from different manufacturers. A user with aWi-Fi product can use any brand of access point with any other brand ofclient hardware that is built to the Wi-Fi standard.

In other alternative embodiments, the communication between the user'sphysical electronic key and the playing device is not wireless. Rather,in one alternative embodiment, the user's physical electronic keycommunicates the activation code to the playing device via atransmission line such as a serial cable that plugs into the key at oneend and the playing device at the other end. In another alternativeembodiment, the key is a smart card or magnetic card into which theactivation code is encoded, and the key is configured to physically fitinto a card reader slot on the playing device.

The above-described DRM method and system for implementing the methodare advantageous in that they afford the key holder with tremendousversatility in copying and using encrypted digital content for personaluse. At the same time, the rights of the content provider are protectedbecause only the key holder with a key-enabled device can use theencrypted digital content. The key holder can copy the encrypted digitalcontent as many times as desired, but can only play the encrypteddigital content on a key-enabled device that is enabled with thephysical electronic key coded to decrypt the encrypted digital content.Thus, the digital content, even when copied, remains personal to the keyholder. Individuals other than the key holder cannot use the encrypteddigital content, even if they copy it, because both the original andcopies of the encrypted digital content are still encrypted and theindividuals do not hold the physical electronic key coded to decrypt thedigital content.

A core element of the present invention is the concept of a portable,physical electronic key that is personal to a particular user. Thephysical key represents a DRM solution that fully addresses the needs ofboth consumers and publishers of digital content. The physical key ispermanently associated with a user's digital content library. At thetime of content acquisition, the physical key becomes permanentlyassociated with the newly acquired content. The user is now “linked” tothat acquired content. A user (e.g., individual or family) may own asmany physical keys as desired, but every piece of encrypted digitalcontent purchased is tied to one specific key. The user may duplicate ortransfer the acquired content to any media or device for playback asmany times as desired, as long as the associated physical key ispresent. Thus, the present invention guarantees that the acquiredcontent is played only by the user who has legitimately paid for it. Thepresent invention gives consumers unprecedented freedoms andconveniences to use legitimately purchased content while still fullyprotecting content providers' rights.

Referring to FIG. 5, the present invention fully supports the use of“keysecured” digital content 125 with all core content acquisitionoptions and all core playback options. The key-secured digital content125 is encoded with a second activation code associated with a firstactivation code stored on the user's physical electronic key. The coreacquisition options include downloaded content 120, store-bought content122, and broadcast content 124. The core playback options includestand-alone devices 126 and networked devices 128. Each of these optionsare described in further detail below.

Referring to FIG. 6 generally, as already noted in FIGS. 1 through 4, aprimary application of the present invention is its use in thedownloading of digital content from the Internet. A consumer shops acontent distributor's website and selects a piece of content they wishto purchase (music, movies, software, E-books, etc.). The consumer thenprovides the web site with standard on-line purchase informationincluding the selection's title and method of payment, as well as theirphysical electronic key information. Transparent to the consumer, thedistributor's web site links to the key provider's web site andtransmits the physical key information for validation. The keyprovider's web site then provides the distributor's web site with theinformation required to prepare the acquired content for secure shipmentto the consumer (or notification that the physical key was invalid). Thekey provider's web site records the transaction for later billing.Finally, the distributor's web site retrieves a copy of the digitalcontent from its library, permanently links it to the consumer'sphysical key (by using the key's information to encrypt it), andtransmits the secured content to the consumer. The consumer is now freeto duplicate the content as often as desired, and to play the content onany key-enabled playback device.

Referring to the specifics of FIG. 6, the process of implementing thecore acquisition option of downloaded digital content 120 (see FIG. 5)proceeds as follows. At step 130, a receiver/decoder circuit 140retrieves an account number from a consumer's physical key (transponder)142 over a secure RF line. At step 131, the consumer enters such data asa password, purchase selection, and method of payment via the consumer'spersonal computer 144. The data is transmitted to a contentdistributor's web site 146 from the consumer's personal computer 144. Atstep 132, the content distributor's web site 146 transmits the accountnumber and password to a key provider's web site 148. At step 133, thekey provider's web site 148 authenticates all data against its database150 and, if authentic, returns such information as the account number,user label, number of users, and software encryption key to thedistributor's web site 146. If the data is not valid, the key provider'sweb site 148 sends a message to the distributor's web site 146indicating the same. A counter, used for the key provider's billingpurposes, is incremented. At step 134, the distributor's web site 146pulls the purchased content file from its database 152, encrypts it withthe software encryption key it received in step 133, and builds a finalkey-secured content file that is then transmitted to the consumer'spersonal computer 144. Charges are assessed based on the number ofusers, etc. and billed to the consumer according to the method ofpayment. At step 135, invoices 154 are generated and sent to contentdistributors by the key provider's web site 148 on a regular cycle.

Optionally, to enable content providers to offer sample content (e.g.,limiting playback to the device on which the content was originallydownloaded, for a specified period of time) a special “enhanced” versionof a receiver/decoder circuit 140 can be produced. These enhancedreceiver/decoder circuits (primarily for PC's) would each include aunique identification number and additional functionality enabling themto “talk” to a key provider's web site 148 to acquire secured timinginformation. Sample content files may include the following information(in their encrypted header section):

-   -   identification number of enhanced receiver/decoder circuit used        for downloading and transmitted by the receiver/decoder circuit        to the key provider's web site at the time of content purchase;    -   hour stamp (i.e., the hour in which the content was downloaded;        and    -   life hours (i.e., number of hours content remains valid, such as        perpetual, one hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, etc.).        The above information is used by an “enhanced” receiver/decoder        circuit during playback to determine whether a content file has        “expired” or is attempting to play on an unauthorized device        (i.e., any device except the device on which the content was        originally downloaded). This capability allows content        distributor web sites to distribute limited-use samples with        associated tiered-pricing models.

Referring to FIG. 7 generally, the present invention can be extended tostore-bought content. To fully integrate store-bought content into thepresent invention, traditional store-bought content is modified in twoways. First, the content is distributed in a copy protected format(e.g., using any valid copy protection technology). Second, the contentcontains a unique content serial code. The content serial code may becontained either directly in the digital content or as a physical label.Each content serial code is designated by a content distributor duringmanufacturing and stored in the key provider's database. This databaseis later used to validate that each content serial code is unique andused only a prescribed number of times. To a consumer, a content serialcode on their newly purchased store-bought content represents a downloadof a key-secured version of that content for free or a prescribed price.This key-secured copy provides the consumer with exactly the sameadvantages and freedoms as any other key-secured content. From theconsumer's standpoint, the download process occurs exactly as any otherstandard key-secured content download with the exception of how thepayment is handled. The “payment” is the content serial code. Byproviding all of the advantages of the present invention to consumers oflegacy-capable store-bought content (by way of “content serial codedownloads”), the scheme provides the industry with the first completeDRM solution.

Referring to the specifics of FIG. 7, the process of implementing thecore acquisition option of store-bought digital content 122 (see FIG. 5)proceeds as follows. At step 160, a receiver/decoder circuit 170retrieves an account number from a consumer's physical key (transponder)172 over a secure RF link, and the consumer's personal computer 174reads a content serial code from the store bought content 122. Thestore-bought content 122 contains the content serial code that uniquelyidentifies the content. The format of the content serial code may, forexample, be PPPP.FFF.0123456789 where PPPP is a provider identification,FFF is a facility identification, and the numbers represent a sequencenumber. The store-bought content 122 incorporates a copy protectionscheme such as Macrovision™, key2audio™, or SafeAudio™. Disc “copyflags” (specified in SDMI standards) may also be set to further inhibitduplication efforts.

At step 161, the consumer enters such data as a password and purchaseselection via the consumer's personal computer 174. The previously-readcontent serial code specifies that the method of payment is to a“content serial code-credit” (i.e., there is typically no charge forthis download because the content serial code confirms that the downloadin process is of content that the consumer has already legitimatelypurchased). The data is transmitted to a content distributor's web site176 from the consumer's personal computer 174. At step 162, thedistributor's web site 176 transmits the content serial code, accountnumber, and password to a key provider's web site 178. At step 163, thekey provider's web site 178 authenticates all data against its databases180 and 182 and, if authentic, returns such information as the accountnumber, user label, number of users, software encryption key, andpaid-flag (indicating the content serial code has been validated) to thedistributor's web site 176. The key provider's web site 178 now sets thepaid-flag to disable any further downloads and records the accountnumber field in the content serial code database 182 for auditingpurposes. If the data is not valid, the key provider's web site 178sends a message to the distributor's web site 176 indicating the same. Acounter, used for the key provider's billing purposes, is incremented.Each entry in the content serial code database 182 may include thefollowing data fields: CDC #, paid-flag, and account number. At step164, the distributor's web site 176 pulls the content file from itsdatabase 184, encrypts it with the software encryption key it receivedin step 163, and builds a final key-secured file that is thentransmitted to the consumer's personal computer 174. No charge istypically assessed because a valid content serial code serves as“payment” for the download. At step 165, invoices 186 are generated andsent to content distributors by the key provider's web site 178 on aregular cycle.

Referring to FIG. 8 generally, the present invention can be extended tobroadcast content. To fully integrate broadcast content into the presentinvention, traditional broadcast content is only minimally modified. Themodification is that the broadcast content is transmitted in a copyprotected format (such as the DVD standard known as Content ScrambleSystem (CSS)). The remainder of the process is described below. Akey-enabled recording device, incorporating a unique identifier,receives copy-protected broadcast content. If only playback of thebroadcast content is desired, basic decoding (e.g., CSS) is performedand the broadcast content is sent on for playback. If the consumerwishes to record the broadcast content, however, the recording deviceperforms additional steps prior to sending the broadcast content on forplayback. The recording device connects to the key provider's web siteto validate the recording device's internal identifier and theconsumer's physical key. If both are valid, the recording devicetranslates the broadcast content into a key-secured format by encodingit with the consumer's activation code, and then stores the key-securedcontent file, with its identifier permanently embedded within, for lateruse. The end result is key-secured broadcast content that provides theowner of the associated physical key all the freedoms and advantages ofthe present invention. Although the content was originally broadcast, itcannot be illegally copied or distributed. The present invention can beapplied to pay per view offerings, as well as standard broadcastmaterial.

Referring to the specifics of FIG. 8, the process of implementing thecore acquisition option of broadcast digital content 124 (see FIG. 5)proceeds as follows. At step 180, a receiver/translator/recording device190 receives digitally broadcast content in copy-protected format from asource 192 such as satellite, cable, Internet, or over-air. Thebroadcast content may be copy protected using a copy-protectiontechnology such as an enhanced CSS scheme. If a consumer wishes to onlyplay (not record) the broadcast content, basic decoding (e.g., CSSdecoding) is performed and the broadcast content is passed through topresentation device 194 for playback. The remaining steps below may beskipped.

If, however, the consumer wishes to record the broadcast content, thefollowing additional steps are performed prior to sending the broadcastcontent on for playback. At step 181, the receiver/translator/recordingdevice 190 retrieves an account number from the consumer's physical key(transponder) 196 over a secure RF link. At step 182, thereceiver/translator/recording device 190 transmits the account numberand its recorder serial code to a key provider's web site 198. Eachdevice 190 contains a recorder serial code that uniquely identifies thedevice. The format of the recorder serial code may, for example, beMMMM.FFF.0123456789 where MMMM is a manufacturer identification, FFF isa facility identification, and the numbers represent a sequence number.At step 183, the key provider's web site 198 authenticates the dataagainst its databases 200 and 202 and returns an “approved” or“rejected” response. A counter, used for the key provider's billingpurposes, is incremented. At step 184, if a “rejected” response isreceived, the broadcast content cannot be recorded. If an “approved”response is received, the receiver/translator/recording device 190translates the decoded content into a key-secured format by encoding itwith the consumer's activation code, and records the key-securedcontent, with the recorder serial code permanently embedded within, to astorage device (that can optionally be an external device). Thebroadcast content can now be copied to and played back on anykey-enabled playback device. At step 185, invoices 199 are generated andsent to content distributors by the key provider's web site 198 on aregular cycle. While providing excellent additional security andprotections, steps 182 and 183 are not mandatory for the presentinvention to function with broadcast content. It may be desirable, forcost purposes, to produce receiver/translator/recording devices 190 notcapable of communicating with the key provider's web site 198.

Referring to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b generally, having acquired key-secureddigital content and produced copies for playback on various devices suchas a portable CD player, personal computer, home theater, etc., aconsumer is now ready to use the digital content. Playback ofkey-secured content occurs as follows. A key-enabled playback devicetransparently reads information from a consumer's physical key and fromthe content file the consumer has requested to play. The pieces ofinformation are then compared to validate that the physical key“matches” the content to be played. If the elements match, the devicebegins playback of the content. If the elements do not match, the devicewill not play the content and, depending upon the device's capabilities,may display an “invalid content” message. From a consumer's point ofview, when used with legitimately-acquired content, the process isentirely transparent, effortless, and non-intrusive. The consumer isfree to use their content on any key-enabled playback device, with theonly restriction being that the content can be played only when theassociated physical key is present. As noted above, the presentinvention gives consumers unprecedented freedoms and conveniences to uselegitimately purchased content while still fully protecting contentproviders' rights.

Referring to the specifics of FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, the process ofimplementing the core playback option of stand-alone devices 126 (seeFIG. 5) proceeds as follows. At step 210, a consumer requests playbackof a key-secured content file via a playback device 220. The playbackdevice 220 may, for example, be the consumer's personal computer (FIG. 9a) or a stereo amplifier (FIG. 9 b) with integrated compact discreader/player. At step 211, a receiver/decoder circuit 222 searches fora physical key (transponder) 224. The circuit 222 may be a separatecomponent from the playback device 220 as in FIG. 9 a or integrated intothe playback device 220 as in FIG. 9 b. If the physical key is notfound, the playback device 220 displays an “invalid content” message. Ifthe physical key is found, the receiver/decoder circuit 222 retrievesall available information from the physical key 224 over a secure RFlink. At step 212, the user labels in the physical key 224 and thekey-secured content file are compared. If the user labels do not match,the playback device 220 displays an “invalid” message. If the userlabels do match, the receiver/decoder circuit 222 retrieves the softwaredecryption key from the physical key 224 over the secure RF link betweenthe physical key 224 and the playback device 220 and begins decryptionof the encrypted portion of key-secured file. When the account number isdecrypted, it is matched against the account number retrieved from thephysical key 224. If the account numbers do not match, the playbackdevice 220 displays an “invalid content” message. If the account numbersdo match, the software decryption key is used by the playback device 220to decrypt remaining data in the key-secured file for playback. The userlabel and the account number in the physical key serve as a firstactivation code, and the user label and the account number in thecontent file serve as a second activation code. These activation codesmust match (or have some other predetermined association) in order forplayback to proceed.

Referring to FIG. 10 generally, while stand-alone playback devices(e.g., CD players, pes, DVD players, etc.) are currently the norm, theconvergence of these devices and the Internet will lead to anenvironment where centralized digital distribution systems proliferate.Security of content in these environments is critical yet challenging toaccomplish without imposing great restrictions. The present inventioncan provide security to a centralized digital distribution system and,in addition, offers many important enhancements that greatly increasethe convenience and usability of such a system. These enhancementsinclude integration of the physical key into a portable handheldcomputer which then doubles as the system remote. In addition tocontrolling all networked components, the remote is used for tasks suchas purchasing content from the Internet, and tracking the movement of auser throughout a facility to provide automatic “content following”(i.e., where content playback follows the user from room to room). Thecentralized nature of the digital content distribution system means thatonly one storage device is required to maintain a consumer's entiredigital content library (e.g., music, movies, software, E-books, etc.)and to feed that content to any networked playback device.

Referring to the specifics of FIG. 10, there is shown a centralizeddigital content distribution system for implementing the core playbackoption of networked devices 128 (see FIG. 5). The system is used in anestablishment such as a residence or entertainment facility. The systemincludes a digital content server 310, a distribution hub 312, aplurality of remote clients 314, and a portable remote control 316. Thedigital content server 310 stores digital content acquired from a source318 such as satellite, cable, Internet, or over-air. In addition, thedigital content server 310 may store digital content uploaded from astandard component 324. The plurality of remote clients 314 are locatedin different rooms of the establishment and linked to the digitalcontent server 310 via the distribution hub 312 or switch. The remoteclients 314 are linked to the distribution hub 312 by a backbonetransmission network 315. The backbone transmission network 315 may bewireless or wired with fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, or twistedpair cables, may employ a networking protocol such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi,Arcnet, or ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), and may employ acommunications protocol such as TCP/IP. Each remote client 314 includesa network interface card (NIC) for interfacing with the backbonetransmission network 315.

The remote control 316 is adapted to communicate with each of the remoteclients 314 and select the digital content stored in the digital contentserver 310. The remote control 316 is essentially a personal digitalassistant (i.e., hand-held computer) including a display and addedremote control circuitry. The display may, for example, be a liquidcrystal display (LCD). The added remote control circuitry includes“system remote” circuitry and “universal remote” circuitry.

The “system remote” circuitry in the remote control 316 is forestablishing a first wireless transmission link 320 with each of theremote clients 314. The first wireless transmission link 320 may be asecure radio link (RF) as shown or an infrared link (IR). Uponestablishing the first wireless transmission link 320 with one of theremote clients 314, the remote control 316 serves as a system remotecapable of (1) displaying, scanning, and selecting the digital contentavailable on the digital content server 310 and downloading the selecteddigital content from the digital content server 310 to the linked remoteclient 314 and (2) controlling the digital content server 310 to acquireor download digital content from a source 318 such as satellite, cable,Internet, or over-air. As used herein, the term “download” and similarvariations thereof (e.g., downloaded, downloading, etc.} is intended tocover the transfer of content from one device to a receiving devicewhether the content is stored on the receiving device or merely“streamed” to the receiving device for immediate playback. The remotecontrol 316 preferably includes a display for displaying the digitalcontent. The display may, for example, be a liquid crystal display(LCD). As a user holding the remote control 316 moves from room to roomof the establishment, the remote control 316 successively establisheswireless transmission links 320 with the remote clients 314 in therespective rooms. In this way, the digital content available on thedigital content server 310 follows the user's movement from room toroom.

In a preferred embodiment, the first wireless transmission link 320 is asecure radio link established by matching transceivers in the remotecontrol 316 and each remote client 314. The matching transceivers arepreferably small, inexpensive Bluetooth™ radio chips that operate in theunlicensed ISM band at 2.4 GHz and avoid interference from other signalsby hopping to a new frequency after transmitting or receiving a packet.The radio chips are integrated into the respective remote control 316and each remote client 314, which can then communicate over shortdistances and through obstacles by means of radio waves. Wirelesstechnologies other than Bluetooth, such as Wi-Fi, may be used tocommunicate remote control signals between the remote control 316 andeach remote client 314.

The “universal remote” circuitry in the remote control 316 is forestablishing a second wireless transmission link 322 with standardcomponents 324 connected to the remote clients 314. The second wirelesstransmission link 322 is preferably an infrared link (IR) as shown. Uponestablishing the second wireless transmission link 322 with one of thestandard components 324, the remote control 316 series as a universalremote capable of operating the standard component 324. The standardcomponent 324 may, for example, be an audio receiver (stereo amplifier),an audiovisual receiver, a video monitor (television), etc. The standardcomponents 324 may be physically separate from, but linked to, therespective remote clients 314 or may be physically integrated into therespective remote clients 314 like integrated device 324 c.

The digital content stored on the digital content server 310 may beformatted as a compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), MP3,electronic book, software, etc. When the remote control 316 is linked toone of the remote clients 314, a user may scan and select digitalcontent to be downloaded from the digital content server 310 to theremote client 314 and converted by the remote client 314 to a standardplayable format (e.g., analog format) that can be played on theassociated standard component 324. The selected digital content isdownloaded from the digital content server 310 to the remote client 314as raw digital data packets. The remote client 314, in tum, converts thedownloaded digital content to a standard component output(s) compatiblewith a standard component 324 connected to the remote client 314, andthe standard component 324 plays the digital content. Ports may, forexample, include S-Video, RCA jacks, serial ports, Universal Serial Bus,Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Firewire™, Bluetooth, RF, or other similar outputs. Thestandard component 324 incorporates, or is linked to, audio speakers forbroadcasting any audio signals received from the remote client 314 and avideo monitor for displaying any video signals received from the remoteclient 314.

All content is stored on the digital content server 310 digitally, andis key-secured if obtained via the download or broadcast acquisitionoptions of FIGS. 6 and 8. If the digital content is key-secured, theplurality of remote clients 314 include decryption circuitry (i.e.,receiver/decoder circuit) for unlocking the digital content. The digitalcontent selected for download from the digital content server 310 to aremote client 314 preferably remains encrypted until converted to astandard component output(s) in the remote client 314. The remote client3 14 acts as a converter between key-secured digital content from thedigital content server 310 and the standard component output(s). Todecrypt the selected digital content, the remote control 316 contains aphysical key initially acquired from a key provider in accordance withthe present invention. The digital content is initially acquired from acontent provider 326 that marks the digital content with an activationcode associated with the physical key. The decryption circuitry in theremote client 314 receives an activation code from the IS remote control316 via the wireless transmission link 320 and is enabled to unlock andconvert the digital content to a playable format if the activation codein the remote control 316 is associated with the activation code in thedigital content. If the activation code in the remote control 316 is notassociated with the activation code in the digital content, the remoteclient 314 will not unlock and convert the digital content.

In an alternative embodiment, the remote clients 314 are eliminated andthe standard components 324 are linked directly to standard componentoutputs of the distribution hub 312 by the backbone transmission network315. In this case, the distribution hub 312 serves as a switch, and thedigital content server 310 contains the decryption circuitry forunlocking the digital content. As the digital content is decrypted, itis converted to a playable format and fed to the distribution switch 312for delivery to the appropriate standard component 324. The decryptioncircuitry in the digital content server 310 receives the activation codefrom the remote control 316 and is only enabled to unlock and convertthe digital content to a playable format if the activation code in theremote control 316 is associated with the activation code in the digitalcontent.

Instead of decrypting the digital content so that it can be played, thedigital content may be downloaded (or “passed through”) in its encryptedformat to a storage device such as a media burner 324 a or computer harddisk 324 b for storage thereon. When a user ultimately desires to playthe stored digital content on a media player, the media player mustcontain the decryption circuitry for unlocking the digital content.After unlocking the digital content, the media player converts theunlocked digital content to a playable format and plays the digitalcontent. The decryption circuitry in the media player receives theactivation code from the remote control 316 or physical key with thesame activation code. The media player is only enabled to unlock andconvert the digital content to a playable format if the activation codein the remote control 316 or physical key is associated with theactivation code in the digital content.

In addition to downloading selected digital content from the digitalcontent server 310 to the remote clients 314, data (e.g., MP3, CD, DVD,software, etc.) from the standard components 324 can be uploaded to thedigital content server 310 and stored digitally thereon. This allows forstorage of legacy content on the digital content server 310.

Referring to FIG. 11 generally, a digital content security system andmethod protects computers from unauthorized use and protects the digitalcontent stored on computers from being wrongfully accessed, copying,and/or distributed. The basic components of the Personal Digital KeyDigital Content Security System (PDK-DCSS) are (1) a standard hard drivedevice 330, with the addition of a PDK Receiver/Decoder Circuit(PDK-RDC) 332 integrated into the controller 334, and (2) a PDK-Key 336associated with the PDK-RDC as described above. The standard computerhard drive 330 incorporates the integrated PDK-RDC 332 for the purposeof enabling multiple methods of securing digital content. Hard drives330 incorporating a PDK-RDC 332 are referred to herein as PDK harddrives. While the PDK-DCSS diagrams show the PDK-RDC 332 as beingintegrated with the hard drive's controller 334, all OS-levelprotections described below can be implemented using externally-basedPDK-RDCs.

A PDK hard drive 330 is similar to any standard, currently availablehard drive with the exception of the PDK-RDC 332 (which is integratedinto the drive's controller circuit 334). A PDK-RDC 332 is an integratedcircuit able to process PDK-Key information, as well as encrypt/decryptPDK-compliant digital content. Additionally, this circuit 332 is able tosecure the hard drive 330 itself. This is implemented by the circuit 332enabling or disabling the hard drive's controller 334 depending onwhether an associated PDK-Key 336 (one which is uniquely and permanentlyassociated with the PDK hard drive 330) is present. Each POK hard drive330 would typically be delivered with its own POK-Key 336.

Secure RF communications between a PDK-Key 336 and its associated harddrive 330 occurs in the same manner as described above. It should benoted that software drivers can optionally be designed to allow fordynamic key assignment (assigning of keys after purchase to enable keyswapping, or assigning of individual keys to multiple devices).

The PDK-Key and RDC technology is utilized to provide two categories ofprotection:

1) Hard drive access control—where an entire drive 330 is eithercompletely accessible (unlocked) or inaccessible (locked), and/orindividual data sectors or clusters of data sectors are optionallyencrypted/decrypted, depending on whether the specific PDK-Key 336associated (and shipped) with the drive 330 is within range. Thiscategory of protection can be accomplished transparently to theoperating system (OS) responsible for managing the drive.

2) OS-level independent file protection—where the drive's RDC 332functions independently of the drive 330 to protect individual files(typically copyrighted material) from wrongful copying. In this role,the RDC 332 works with any PDK-Key 336 (not just the one delivered withthe drive 330) and any PDK-compliant file (they do not have to be storedon or associated with the hard drive 330). This category of protectionrequires an OS-level software driver be run under the OS responsible formanaging the drive.

By utilizing these two categories of protection in various ways, fourunique levels of content protection are enabled. Two of the levels(Drive-Level and Sector-Level) do not require external software support,while the remaining two (File-Level and Network-Level) require softwaredrivers, as well as a stand-S alone application for Network-Levelimplementations. Each of the four levels is defined below.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 for Drive-Level protection, whenimplemented, a PDK hard drive 330 will only function when the associatedPDK-Key 336 is within range. The drive's controller 334 is disabledwhenever the PDK-Key 336 is not present. The contents of files stored onthe drive 330 are not encrypted. The Drive-Level protection feature isdesigned to protect the hard drive's owner by locking access to the PDKhard drive 330 whenever the associated PDK-Key 336 is not present (i.e.when the owner momentarily steps away from the computer, if the computeris stolen, etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 for Sector-Level protection, when enabled,every sector (or cluster of sectors) read or written isencrypted/decrypted by the RDC 332 using the drive's associated PDK-Key336. Because the encryption is performed at Sector-Level as opposed toFile-Level, the encoding can be accomplished without requiring anychanges, involvement, or acknowledgement of the OS responsible formanaging the drive. The Sector-Level protection feature is designed tofurther protect the hard drive's owner (beyond Drive-Level protection)by encrypting the contents of the files stored on the drive, withoutrequiring any software modifications (OS, application, etc.). Thesecurity advantage is that if the drive access is in some way defeated,the contents of files on the drive are still protected. It should benoted that if users retrieve files from drive and purposely transferthem anywhere else (via email, memory sticks, etc.), the data will nolonger be protected. Drive-Level protection and Sector-Level protectionmay be used individually or in combination. Also, as noted above, itshould be understood that Sector-Level protection may be applied toindividual data sectors or clusters of data sectors.

FIG. 13 illustrates the logic executed by the RDC 332 for implementingDrive-Level protection and Sector-Level protection. The logic ensuresOS-level commands (save entire file, read entire file, etc.) are givenadequate time to complete. This enables implementation of logic withoutrequiring OS changes, involvement, or acknowledgement.

Referring to FIG. 14 for File-Level protection, implemented as anOS-level software driver utilizing the PDK-RDC 332 integrated in the PDKhard drive 330, File-Level protection provides standard PDK digitalrights management services and functionality as described above. Asneeded, the driver instructs the RDC 332 to acquire PDK-Key information,validate the key-to-file match, and use the key's information to performactual encryption/decryption of the file (as a whole, not at the sectorlevel). In the illustrated example, the file ABC 338 (which can resideon any storage device, in memory, etc.) is compared to any PDK-Key 336within range of the PDK-RDC 332. If a match is found, the PDK-RDC 332will decrypt the file 338 for use with whatever playback mechanismplaced the request. Any PDK-Key 336 can be utilized, not just the key336 associated with the PDK hard drive 330. When employed for File-Levelprotection (and Network-Level protection as described below), thePDK-RDC 332 functions independently of the hard drive 330 in which itresides. While PDK-compliant files it encrypts or decrypts may reside onthe resident hard drive 330 and may be associated with the drive'sPDK-Key 336, they do not have to be. The PDK-RDC 332 can work with otherPDK-Keys and files residing on other mediums. When used in this manner,the PDK-RDC 332 can be thought of as just coincidently residing withinthe hard drive 330. For File-Level and Network-Level protection, the RDC332 may be implemented as a separate circuit board (not integratedwithin the hard drive 330) and still provide identical functionality.

The primary use of File-Level protection is to secure and protectprivate or copyrighted material from wrongful copying and distribution.Because copies of any PDK-compliant files can only be accessed when theassociated PDK-Key is present, File-Level protection enables copies(intended for use by the holder of the associated key) to be producedeffortlessly and securely. In addition to the distribution ofcopyrighted content such as music and movies as described above,software developers can distribute their software products via theInternet with the same ease and security. Software distributed in thismanner would allow the legal recipient to make unlimited copies (forbackup purposes, use on a home computer, etc.), yet the copies wouldonly function when the associated key is present, preventingunauthorized copies from being wrongfully distributed and used.

The File-Level protection feature is designed to protect publishers ofprivate or copyrighted material. Users can protect any file byconverting it to PDK-compliant format; however, security of documentfiles can be compromised by key holders not wishing to maintain thefile's integrity. Because, while a Microsoft Word document (as anexample) may be stored in the PDK-compliant protected format, onceopened the contents could be cut and pasted into another application(e.g., an email program) thereby defeating the protection. Therefore theuse of File-Level protection for use with documents is only applicablefor entrusted recipients (individuals desiring to protect the content ofwhich they are in possession). Non-document files, however, are notsubject to these limitations.

Referring to FIG. 15 for Network-Level protection, File-Level Protectioncan be expanded to a network environment by employing a centralizedsoftware application/database called a PDK Document Controller (DC) 340running on a server 342. A DC 340 enables the creation of Groups 342that list which PDK-Keys 344 are allowed access to files in specificdirectories. All files stored in directories controlled by the DC 340are automatically encrypted using the DC administrator's PDK-Key andthereby become PDK-compliant files. This process places all files storedin the DC 340 in a uniformly encrypted format.

Each user request for a file residing in a directory listed in a DCGroup 342 results in the following steps. An RDC located in therequester's workstation 346 acquires information from the user's PDK-Key344 and relays that information to the DC 340. The DC then enablesappropriate access as defined by the DC's Group database information.Specifically, the DC 340 performing a lookup of the requester's PDK-Key344 in the appropriate Group's tables. If the DC 340 determines that thePDK-Key 344 is listed in a Group 342 that also lists the directorycontaining the file the user wishes to access, the DC 340 knows that avalid PDK-Key 344 was used in the file request and grants access. Therequested file is first decrypted with the administrator's PDK-Key,re-encrypted with the requester's PDK-Key 344, and then downloaded tothe user's workstation 346. The foregoing process mirrors the processemployed when using PDK to download digital media files from theInternet.

The Network-Level protection feature is designed to protect publishersof private or copyrighted material. Users can protect any file byconverting it to PDK-compliant format; however, security of documentfiles can be compromised by key holders not wishing to maintain thefile's integrity. Because, while a Microsoft Word document (as anexample) may be stored in the PDK-compliant protected format, onceopened the contents could be cut and paste into another application(e.g., an email program) thereby defeating the protection. Therefore,the use of File-Level protection for use with documents is onlyapplicable for entrusted recipients (individuals desiring to protect thecontent of which they are in possession). Non-document files, however,are not subject to these limitations. The system is well suited forestablishing centralized databases of secure documents intended fordistribution to entrusted recipients such as personnel in a law firm ormedical facility.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. A number of enhancements andvariations can be implemented/utilized that effectively broaden the PDKtechnology's scope and utility. These enhancements and alternativeembodiments are summarized below.

Integration of RDCs into Alternative Storage Devices. This embodimentinvolves integrating RDCs into alternative storage mechanisms beyondthose of basic hard drives. These storage mechanisms include pureRAM/ROM-based storage commonly included/used in devices such as PDAs,cell phones, printer, copiers, faxes, scanners, MP3 players, GPSsystems, digital cameras, computer motherboards, and DVR players, aswell as portable storage devices such as Memory Sticks, Secure Digitalmemory cards, or any similar such product, in which case the RDC iseither directly installed on the device, or integrated into the devicein which the memory cards/sticks are inserted.

When an RDC is utilized in this manner, File-Level and Network-Levelsecurity function in the same manner as that described above for PDKhard drives. Drive-Level and Sector-Level security function in the samelogical manner as that described for hard drives, but the physicalimplementation varies so as to control the bus structure that providesthe communications path between the storage mechanisms and their hostingdevices. As with PDK hard drives, access to the storage isenabled/disabled by interrupting the communications path, signaling tothe hosting device that the storage is either “ready” or “busy,”effectively enabling/disabling the device itself. To save batteries,RDCs used in this manner may only check for the presence of theassociated PDK-Key on some periodic basis (versus every read or writesequence). And similar to PDK hard drives, Sector-Level security can beoptionally utilized to encrypt/decrypt data traveling over the bus priorto writes and after reads to provide PDK's standard Sector-Level dataencoding functionality.

As when utilized in PDK hard drives, the PDK's security features providethe same convenient, non-intrusive, wireless security mechanism for theabove-defined devices. This security mechanism protects any data storedon such devices in the event they are ever stolen, left unattended, oreven purposely “disabled” to prevent access to sensitive content (i.e.preventing minors from accessing adult files, websites, etc.). When theassociated PDK-Key(s) is not present, these devices and their storagemeans are locked and disabled.

Dynamic PDK-Key Management. Utilizing dynamic PDK-Key management,PDK-Keys can be assigned to an RDC (whether integrated into a PDK harddrive or some other hosting device, or implemented independently) by auser (versus requiring such assignment at time of production). Thiscapability is accomplished by including the required logic within theRDC's internal firmware (versus using an externally-based softwaredriver to supply such capability).

Using this capability, a user can optionally assign any PDK-Key to actas the RDC's master key (the first key assigned to the device). Then byinvolving this master key (to prove the original “owner's” validation ofthe process), the user can assign (or remove) additional keys to thePDK-device. The general benefits of this feature include:

-   -   The ability for the individual possessing the master key to        create backup keys (to be stored and later retrieved in the        event the master is ever lost), and to allow other users (those        possessing additional keys) to also access their PDK device(s).    -   The option to ship PDK-RDCs (in any configuration, host devices,        etc.) without any PDK-Keys. And to allow such devices containing        these RDCs (such as PDK hard drives) to optionally function with        all or part of the PDK-technology never enabled or utilized. For        instance, a user may elect to not enable Drive-Level and        Sector-Level security features, but still utilize the        functionalities of File-Level and Network-Level security.    -   Giving users the option to purchase and associate a PDK-Key at a        later time, or importantly, assign a PDK-Key they already        utilize for another PDK-based device. This allows a user to        utilize a single PDK-Key to provide access to all their        PDK-based devices. This built-in (firmware-based) PDK-Key        configuration/management capability greatly enhances PDK's        overall flexibility and ease of setup/use.

Independent RDC configuration. While integrating an RDC into a harddrive offers numerous benefits, RDCs may exist separately from harddrive mechanisms. In this configuration (as previously defined) an RDC'sphysical circuitry may exist in the form of a PC Card, a PC expansionboard that plugs into a standard PC expansion slot, a USB-based plug-inboard, or any other similar design able to interface with a hostingdevice. Used in this manner, RDCs provide all previously definedfunctionalities with the exception of basic hard drive access-control.

Buffer Flush & Notification Software Driver. This enhancement involvesusing a simple software device driver to recognize when a PDK-Key is outof range (by “watching” for signals from the RDC), and when such acondition is detected to flush (empty) the host system's “read” buffer(effectively clearing any data the system may have been cached ininternal memory in order to speed data access), and display a simplemessage indicating the PDK-Key is IO in/out of range. This optionalmechanism can be utilized with any RDC configuration and on anyPDK-protected device.

Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplatedas falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, whichis set forth in the following claims.

1. A system comprising: a tangible personal digital key including afirst activation code comprising a user label and an account number anda first wireless transceiver to wirelessly transmit the first activationcode; a computing device coupled to the tangible personal digital keyvia a wireless network, wherein the computing device comprises areader/decoder circuit that receives the first activation codecomprising the user label and the account number from the tangiblepersonal digital key and transmits the first activation code receivedfrom the tangible personal digital key to a key provider device forauthentication, wherein the computing device is programmed to receivedigital content marked with an unlock code associated with the firstactivation code from a content provider device responsive to the keyprovider device authenticating the first activation code of the tangiblepersonal digital key.
 2. The system of claim 1 comprising: the keyprovider device coupled to receive the first activation code and toauthenticate the first activation code; the content provider device tomark the digital content with an unlock code associated with the firstactivation code responsive to the key provider device authenticating thefirst activation code.
 3. The system of claim 2 comprising: a playingdevice comprising a transceiver with a wireless coverage range whereinthe playing device is programmed to perform the operations of: receivingthe digital content marked with the unlocked code from the device;receiving the first activation code from the tangible personal digitalkey within the within the wireless coverage range; receiving a requestto access the digital content; in response to receiving the request,comparing the first activation code with the unlock code of the digitalcontent received from the device; and accessing the digital contentbased on result of the comparing.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein thefirst activation code is the unlock code.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the reader/decoder circuit is one or more of integrated into thecomputing device, located in a computer hard drive of the computingdevice, included in a circuit board coupled to the hard drive of thecomputing device and located in a swipe unit of the computing device. 6.The system of claim 2 wherein the computing device transmits andreceives data from the key provider device through an Internetconnection.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the content providerdevice encrypts the digital content, wherein the computing devicedecrypts the digital content while the tangible digital personal key isin proximity to the computing device to communicate the first activationcode to the computing device, and wherein the computing device is unableto decrypt the digital content when the tangible digital personal key isno longer in proximity to the device to communicate the first activationcode to the device.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the user label isunencrypted and the account number is encrypted.
 9. The system of claim1 wherein the user label is used to select the tangible personal digitalkey as an appropriate tangible personal digital key from a plurality oftangible personal digital keys within range of the reader/decodercircuit
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the key provider deviceincludes a database, wherein the database includes an account identifierand a personal digital key identifier, and wherein the key providerdevice authenticates the first activation code using personal digitalkey data stored in the database.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein thecomputing device is further programmed to perform the operations of:responsive to receiving a request to access the digital content,compares the first activation code with an unlock code of digitalcontent to be accessed, and responsive to determining the firstactivation code and the unlock code of digital content to be accessedare associated, accesses the digital content.
 12. The system of claim 1wherein the digital content and decrypt the digital content isencrypted, and the digital content is decrypted when the tangibledigital personal key is in proximity to the computing device tocommunicate the first activation code to the device.
 13. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the digital content is encrypted, and the digitalcontent is decrypted while the tangible digital personal key is inproximity to the computing device to communicate the first activationcode to the computing device, and wherein the computing device is unableto decrypt the digital content when the tangible digital personal key isno longer in proximity to the computing device to communicate the firstactivation code to the device.
 14. A method comprising: wirelesslyreceiving, from a tangible personal digital key, a first activation codecomprising a user label and an account number; receiving the firstactivation code comprising the user label and the account number fromthe tangible personal digital key; transmitting the first activationcode received from the tangible personal digital key to a key providerdevice for authentication; and receiving digital content marked with anunlock code associated with the first activation code responsive to anauthentication of the first activation code of the tangible personaldigital key.
 15. The method of claim 14 comprising: marking the digitalcontent with an unlock code associated with the first activation coderesponsive successful authentication of the first activation code.receiving a request to access the digital content; in response toreceiving the request, comparing the first activation code with theunlock code of the digital content; and accessing the digital contentbased on result of the comparing.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe first activation code is the unlock code.
 17. The method of claim14, wherein the digital content is encrypted, the method furthercomprising decrypting the digital content while the tangible digitalpersonal key is in proximity to wirelessly communicate the firstactivation code, and wherein decryption is unavailable when the tangibledigital personal key is no longer in proximity to wirelessly communicatethe first activation code to the device.
 18. The method of claim 14comprising selecting the tangible personal digital key as an appropriatetangible personal digital key from a plurality of tangible personaldigital keys within range
 19. The method of claim 14 comprising:responsive to receiving a request to access the digital content,comparing the first activation code with an unlock code of digitalcontent to be accessed, and responsive to determining the firstactivation code and the unlock code of digital content to be accessedare associated, accesses the digital content.
 20. The method of claim14, wherein the digital content is encrypted, the method furthercomprising decrypting the digital content when the tangible digitalpersonal key is in proximity to wirelessly communicate the firstactivation code.